Take the Sun with you

Chapter 2

Chapter 2
Sa kamay na nanlalamig

Tomorrow morning, Mercedes was running under the heat of the sun. Wala itong suot na tsinelas at naka-pantulog pa habang humahangos na lumiko sa kabilang kalye papunta sa isang kulay kayumanggi na bahay.

She didn't even bother knocking, she just barged in and went straight to the 2nd floor. Hingal na hingal ito nang tumigil sa isang k'warto, at walang pagdadalawang isip na binuksan ito.

Bumungad sa kaniya ang makulay na k'warto na kahit saan ka lumingon ay may nakasabit na dreamcatcher. Tumigil ang paningin nito sa kama at nang makita nito ang kaibigan ay dali-daling dumiretso si Mercedes.

"Maxi," she uttered.

Mercedes quickly sat in front of her friend and silently watched her. Maxi was crying hard and Mercedes knew better than anyone that her friend, her friend who made her other best friends irrelevant, felt it again for countless of times.

She can't ignore the emptiness in her heart as she witnessed someone precious to her woe. Oh, how Mercedes wish to turn those monsters into ashes, so Maxi won't be in pain anymore.

Hindi na siy nag-abala pang aluin ang kaibigan, nandiyan lang siya pinagmamasdan ang kaibigan na walang ibang magawa kung hindi ang umiyak.

Mercedes knew that everyone has that heaviness in their heart. Lahat ng tao ay nakakaramdam niyan, and it's wonderful to see Maxi stood up ignoring her own misery just to greet her.

"You came," ani ni Maxi.

Tumango si Mercedes at ngumisi, tinapik nito ang balikat ng kaibigan bago lumabas. Mas lalo lamang nawalan ng emosyon ang mukha nito at nang maramdaman na sumunod ang kaibigan, umupo ito at pinalibot ang tingin sa k'warto.

"Maybe you should add another dream catcher here," suhestisyon nito.

Maxi shrugged her shoulder before letting out a sigh, trying not to break down again. Tumalikod ito upang kumuha ng pagkain at ngayon na kumportable na ay umupo ito sa katabing upuan ng kaibigan. Mariin ang tingin sa kaniya ni Mercedes kaya ngumisi ito.

"Woah, look at those eyes!" Pang-aasar nito.

Maxi laughed showing her perfect square smile, she has a beautiful set of black eyes, her face is small, and it made her looked more stunning with her mid-length hair. Pabagsak itong tumayo at muling umupo, hindi man lang maabot ang sahig dahil sa katangkaran nito.

"You don't have any plans for today?" Tanong ni Mercedes.

"Hmm, wala naman masiyado. You know I've been spending my free time writing poetry and yes, drawing too."

"Take some time para uminom ng gamot para sa katangkaran mo." Maxi glared at her while Mercedes only chuckled.

That's the funny thing about this duo, they talk as if they are not hurting. They exchanged nasty comments but they knew, their souls are connected. They fancy little things and they are both great in making each other feel okay, because Mercedes always felt that whenever Maxi's around. Dahil kung tutuusin, nang kelan niya lang 'to nakilala dahil sa isang series.

This is how people grow, they will struggle with despair but only themselves can fix their own shits. Mercedes couldn't ask for more, she just wanted to be with the people who makes her feel alive. Kung p'wede nga lang ay gusto niyang manatili na ganito na lang ang lahat ngunit sa mga sandaling panahon, marami ang puwedeng magbago lalo na ang hindi inaasahan.

Mercedes continued talking to Maxi and little did she know, someone is waiting for her at the exact same place where she left him with her outstanding remark.